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Big Rocks

One of the members of the #MiddleLeaders voxer group casually asked us to think about our three big rocks. My three big rocks? The idea is you need to identify those priorities first before you fill in with little rocks and sand.

For principals with grades in 3-8, this time of year can become the crunch time. It gets overwhelming to think about how fast the state tests are approaching. When you add in the loss of instructional time due to snow delays, snow days, and illness, anyone's jar can fill up fast. On top of that, there's the continued criticism from outside our schools implying administrators and principals aren't doing their jobs correctly. If we let that grow, that could easily become a big rock...maybe even the biggest.

I can't control much of what is being criticized by outside voices. I can only continue to do my best each day. My performance will not always be perfect but my intentions will be true. My main job is to continue to support the amazing individuals I have the privilege of working with. 

My big rocks for our school are:

  • Kids
  • Faculty and Staff 
  • Families

Our big rocks need to focus on people. It's a ripple effect. Our people focus connects to our instructional focus but it still starts with the actual people. The person. 

The person in front of you.

Not the people outside our school walls criticizing what we can or can't do. 
Not the loss of control over things that are not within our control.


*My thanks to Ted Huff for inspiring this post.

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